General query about term 'pensioner'

The only organisations routinely paying pensions in the 1870s were the army, the navy and the RIC (police).   Usually RIC pensioners say that eg: “Police pensioner”. In my experience most described just as “pensioners” were in the army, with smaller numbers in the navy.

You can search for a military record on Ancestry and Findmypast, but without an idea of the unit your ancestor may have served with, it may be challenging identifying the correct record.

Not all military records have survived, but where they do exist they are in the National Archives in Kew, London. Personal visit required to view them.  (Ancestry and fmp only have some of the military information).

I have never known of an estate worker receiving a pension. That’s not at all likely.

Thanks for that Elwyn. It reinforces what I thought but makes it less likely to be my ancestor, I think. On his son's marriage certificate Patrick Scully's occupation is down as 'mason'. As the son was serving in the army at the time of his marriage, I think he would have mentioned if his father was an army pensioner.

Thanks for the insight and extra info,

Anne